tracked leaders, went 2nd over 6f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind and pushed along, weakened over 4f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 6f out, one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, lost place before halfway, pushed along and headway to chase leaders over 5f out, led over 2f out, hung left entering final furlong, driven out
held up towards rear, headway to track leaders over 7f out, every chance approaching final furlong, not quicken
held up mid-division, pushed along and reminders halfway, tailed off from over 3f out
chased leader, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, tailed off over 3f out
held up in touch, ridden over 5f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off over 3f out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Calatagan gets a tentative vote over Balakar, with Nero West, Boxhall and Kristiansand others to consider. The finale is the longest race on the card, and stamina will not be an issue with many of these, including Calatagan. Malcolm Jefferson's charge is much better known as a chaser these days, and has taken on top company in that sphere. However, he is no slouch on the level, and ran well at Newcastle last August. He will come on for the run today, having been off since April, and is no doubt being prepared for another assault at the winter game, but with Paul Hanagan in the plate, he is taken to make all today. Balakar scored over hurdles at Perth in the summer, but that was his first success in four years, and he can hardly be considered consistent. Nero West is a much bigger danger, as he goes on soft ground, has winning form over two miles, and is still reasonably treated despite topweight, while Boxhall is a bit less exposed than some of these, but has yet to win over this sort of trip. Kristiansand does not win too often, and is yet another that returns to the Flat after a spell over obstacles, and in a race in which bets should be kept to the bare minimum, the pin comes down on Calatagan.
Nero West (FR) 4-1 (9-8) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, gradually weakened, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Collette's Choice (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Calatagan (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Indonesia (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug '06.
Vicious Prince (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, last of 8, 17l behind Alfonso (8-7) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
Tangible 12-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden in 2nd 3f out, soon no impression, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Always The Groom (9-5) at Wexford 1m 4f handicap gf in Aug.
Balakar (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden and headway on inner over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, kept on inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Golden Groom (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcap (6) gf.
Kristiansand 10-3 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 7f out, led over 6f out, driven clear 3f out, headed 2f out, no extra final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Ostfanni (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m amt hcp 0-80 (6) gd in Jun.
Andorran (GER) 14-1 (9-0) Held up, headway on outside over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 10l behind Royal Melbourne (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol.
City Miss 40-1 (8-12) Held up, pushed along over 4f out, never dangerous, 14th of 17, 17l behind Golden Groom (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcap (6) gf.
Quicuyo (GER) 9-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind City Miss (7-11) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Grey Outlook 12-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, 23l behind Fadansil (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Boxhall (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 3f out, kept on, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Casual Affair (9-1) at York 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Hue 15-2 (9-9) In touch, led over 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Casual Affair (9-1) at York 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Great Quest (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 17, 6l behind Golden Groom (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcap (6) gf.
Kyber 8-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 14l behind Toparudi (9-13) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcap (4) gs.
Hawksbury Heights 10-1 (9-10) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened approaching straight, eased final furlong, last of 13, 22l behind Galistic (8-11) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp 0-70 gf in Jul '06.
Borsch (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, 10th of 17, 9l behind Golden Groom (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcap (6) gf.
